Nigeria’s Flamingos are set to compete against Japan in the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, taking place on November 7 in Morocco. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Nigerian time at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
This showdown marks the first encounter between Nigeria and Japan in the tournament’s history and represents the first global final for both nations. Football fans can catch the action live on FIFA+ and through streaming services like DAZN.
Initially, Nigeria’s journey in the tournament was challenging, beginning with a 2-1 loss to Poland. The Flamingos bounced back with a slim victory over Puerto Rico and later pulled off a major upset by defeating the defending champions, DPR Korea, 3-1. They followed this success with wins over Mexico and Venezuela, ultimately securing their spot in the final by overcoming Brazil in the semi-finals.
Queen Joseph has emerged as a key player for Nigeria, particularly noted for her performance against Brazil, where she scored a goal and provided an assist. This makes her integral to the team’s aspirations for the title.
Japan, meanwhile, has had a dominant tournament, winning all their group matches without conceding a goal. After a comeback victory over Kenya in the round of 16, they advanced past Ghana to reach the semi-finals, where they ultimately triumphed over DPR Korea in a penalty shootout.
One player to watch from Japan is Mei Hanashiro, who has scored four goals during the tournament and is seen as a significant threat in the attacking lineup.
Both teams are expressing high levels of confidence ahead of the final. Japan’s coach, Sadayoshi Shirai, has emphasized his team’s determination to win the trophy, while captain Honoka Yotsumoto acknowledged their progress and confidence leading into the match. On the Nigerian side, coach Akeem Busari aims to replicate the successful tactics used against DPR Korea, focusing on a strong performance.
Queen Joseph expressed pride in reaching the final, stating that the team is not just representing Nigeria but the entire African continent.
